Traditional Chinese character 丟

It means “throw away” or “lose”; compounds add other senses.

Nearby characters complete the action: 丟失 means “mislay,” while 丟眼色 means “signal someone with a look.” Read the whole phrase when the verb could describe more than one action.

How did 丟 become a Chinese word?

A 2022 study traces its emergence to the Song–Yuan period.

It describes the written form in everyday Chinese and proposes a formation from 一 (“one”) plus 去 (“go”), with a possible sound connection to 投, another Chinese character used in verbs for throwing. This is a scholarly proposal, not a settled origin.

A 2023 study discusses Yuan dynasty examples from everyday speech and says the “lose” sense later replaced 失, an older Chinese word meaning “lose,” becoming established through the Ming and Qing dynasties. A 2013 study compares 丢 with 扔 and 撂—other Chinese verbs for throwing or putting something down—and tracks regional changes in their use.

If someone sends 丟 alone, what does it mean?

Alone, 丟 names an action but leaves the object unclear.

It may mean “discard” or “lose,” among other senses. Use the surrounding conversation to decide; if it gives no clue, ask which action the sender means.